Reference: Banquets
Fausets
Both social and religious. At the three great religious feasts, when all the males appeared before Jehovah, the family had its feast, of which the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow had their share (De 16:11). Sacrifices were accompanied by a feast (Ex 34:15; Jg 16:23-25). The "lovefeasts" of the early Christians sprung from these sacrificial feasts; as the Lord's supper came from the Passover. The tithes and firstlings were to be eaten at the sanctuary, if not too far off (De 12:17-18; 14:22-23). Males and females met together at feasts of old (Joh 2:1). Vashti's separate Women's banquet was a Persian, not Jewish, custom (Es 1:9). In magnificent feasts, as at royal weddings, a general invitation was given; the accepters were summoned by a second message at the time of the feast (Pr 9:1-3; Lu 14:17; Matthew 22).
The entertainer provided robes for the guests, to be worn in his honor and as a token of his regard, in Old Testament times the Israelites sat at table (1Sa 16:11); and in the order of their dignity or seniority (Ge 43:33); which explains the point of Jesus' exhortation to take the lowest place (Lu 14:7-10; Mt 23:6). The Persians reclined on couches (Es 7:8). So the Romans. From these the Jews adopted reclining. Thus, the sinful woman could come behind the conch where Jesus lay, and anoint His feet (Lu 7:37-38); and Mary, sister of Lazarus (Joh 12:2-3); and "John leaned on the Lord's bosom" at the last supper (Joh 13:23,25). Amos reprobates the luxury (Am 6:4-6). Perfumes were freely used at rich feasts (Ps 23:5; Ec 9:7-8). A "governor of the feast" was appointed (Joh 2:8-9).
The usual time was evening, to begin earlier was a mark of excess (Isa 5:11; Ec 10:16). "Spiced wine" was often used (Song 8:2). Garlands or crowns of flowers on the head (Isa 28:1). Music, vocal and instrumental (Isa 5:12), and dancing (Lu 15:25). Wedding feasts often lasted seven days (Jg 14:12). Portions were sent from the entertainer to each guest, and a double or fivefold portion, or special part, to a distinguished guest (1Sa 1:5; 9:23-24; compare 2Sa 11:8; Ge 43:34). Portions direct from table were sent to poorer friends (Ne 8:10; compare Lu 14:13; Es 9:19,22). A kiss was the proper courtesy wherewith the heat received each guest; to omit it was to be wanting in kindliness (Lu 7:4-5).
In the absence of modern knives, forks and spoons, they dipped their hands together in the same dish (Mr 14:20; Pr 19:24; 26:15, for "bosom" translate dish). After dinner the hands were wiped in a cloth, after a servant had poured water on them (compare Elisha's office for Elijah, 2Ki 3:11), or were wiped on pieces of bread, which were then thrown to the household dogs (which illustrates Mt 15:27). A banquet is a frequent emblem of heavenly happiness (Isa 25:6; Lu 14:15; Re 19:9).
To eat bread includes drinking. So in the case of the Lord's supper (Ac 20:7). So the cup is not expressly mentioned in the Passover supper in the Old Testament but De 14:26; Isa 25:6 imply the use of wine at it. In Eli's days drinking to excess even at the Lord's feasts was not uncommon (1Sa 1:14-15). Four cups of wine were mixed with water, blessed and passed round by the master of the feast at the Passover. In Song 2:4 the heavenly Bridegroom's "banqueting house" (house of wine) is the church in its public ordinances for refreshing the soul, the ministry of the word, joint prayer, and the Lord's supper (compare Ps 36:8).
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And she said, Yea, Lord; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.
And she said, Yea, Lord; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.
and love the first place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
and love the first place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And he said to them, It is one of the twelve, one that is dipping with me in the dish.
And he said to them, It is one of the twelve, one that is dipping with me in the dish.
And they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldst do this for him;
And they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldst do this for him; for he loveth our nation, and himself built the synagogue for us.
for he loveth our nation, and himself built the synagogue for us.
And lo! a woman who was in the city, a sinner, learning that he was at table in the Pharisees house, brought an alabasterbottle of ointment,
And lo! a woman who was in the city, a sinner, learning that he was at table in the Pharisees house, brought an alabasterbottle of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
and standing behind at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
And he spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he observed how they chose out the highest places at the table, saying to them,
And he spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he observed how they chose out the highest places at the table, saying to them, When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not take the highest place, lest one more honorable than thou may have been invited by him;
When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not take the highest place, lest one more honorable than thou may have been invited by him; and he who invited thee and him come and say to thee, Give place to this man; and then thou wilt begin with shame to take the lowest place.
and he who invited thee and him come and say to thee, Give place to this man; and then thou wilt begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go and recline in the lowest place, that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher. Then wilt thou have honor in the presence of all who are at table with thee.
But when thou art invited, go and recline in the lowest place, that when he who invited thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher. Then wilt thou have honor in the presence of all who are at table with thee.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind;
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind;
And one of those who were at table with him, hearing this, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
And one of those who were at table with him, hearing this, said to him, Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
And at the hour of supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for things are now ready.
And at the hour of supper he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come, for things are now ready.
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
And on the third day there was a marriagefeast in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
And on the third day there was a marriagefeast in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear it to the master of the feast. And they bore it.
And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear it to the master of the feast. And they bore it. But when the master of the feast tasted the water that had been made wine, not knowing whence it was, but the servants who drew the water knew, he called the bridegroom
But when the master of the feast tasted the water that had been made wine, not knowing whence it was, but the servants who drew the water knew, he called the bridegroom
They made therefore a supper for him there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at the table with him.
They made therefore a supper for him there, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at the table with him. Then Mary, taking a pound of ointment of pure spikenard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Then Mary, taking a pound of ointment of pure spikenard, very costly, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
There was reclining on Jesus bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
There was reclining on Jesus bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
He, therefore, leaning back on the breast of Jesus, saith to him, Lord, who is it?
He, therefore, leaning back on the breast of Jesus, saith to him, Lord, who is it?
And on the first day of the week, when we had assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, being about to depart on the morrow, and continued the discourse until midnight.
And on the first day of the week, when we had assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, being about to depart on the morrow, and continued the discourse until midnight.
And he saith to me, Write, Blessed are they who are called to the marriagesupper of the Lamb. And he saith to me, These are the true words of God.
And he saith to me, Write, Blessed are they who are called to the marriagesupper of the Lamb. And he saith to me, These are the true words of God.
Smith
among the Hebrews, were not only a means of social enjoyment, but were a part of the observance of religious festivity. At the three solemn festivals the family also had its domestic feast.
De 16:11
Sacrifices, both ordinary and extraordinary,
includes a banquet. Birthday banquets are only mentioned
The usual time of the banquet was the evening, and to begin early was a mark of excess.
The most essential materials of the banqueting room, next to the viands and wine, which last was often drugged with spices,
were perfumed unguents, garlands or loose flowers, white or brilliant robes; after these, exhibitions of music singers and dancers, riddles, jesting and merriment.
Jg 14:12; 2Sa 19:35; Ne 8:10; Ec 10:19; Isa 5:12; 25:6; 28:1; Mt 22:11; Lu 15:25
The posture at table in early times was sitting,
and the guests were ranged in order of dignity. (Gene 43:33; 1Sam 9:22 Words which imply the recumbent posture belong to the New Testament.
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But when Herods birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod;
And the king, coming in to view the guests, saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment;
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.